Sometimes, the things you see in the shadows are more than just shadows.
*******
(ALTHEA'S POV)
I stare at the man, then Myra.
"My home? You mean—"
"That you have to stay here? Yes. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
I stare at Myra in disbelief, and she sighs.
"It is for your own protection, Thea. They're coming, and if you aren't protected you will be the one who doesn't survive."
I stand up, staring at all of them, stunned.
"Remember what I told you four years ago? When we first met?"
My eyes widen, and I stagger backwards in shock.
"Oh my god...the Revelation."
********
FOUR YEARS AGO...
OCTOBER 29th, 2017.
(ALTHEA'S POV)
I sit at the fountain, plucking the strings of my harp.
Axel, Apollo's youngest son, and one of my best friends, sits next to me, with his violin.
"Hey, Ali."
"Hi, Axel. My mom is making me learn the harp. I probably sound so out of tune."
Axel grins.
"You probably aren't that bad. I hate the violin with a passion. If anything I'd rather play the drums."
I give him a small smile.
"I can agree with that one...where's everyone else?"
"At the meeting. I skipped it."
"But—Axel! That's important!"
"Not to me. I couldn't care less about what the old man is yapping about...such a bore."
I elbow him playfully.
"You're too much of a rebel, Axel."
Axel opens his mouth to say something when we hear someone clear their throat.
"Axel!"
He snaps his head around, eyes widening.
Axel pushes a lock of golden blonde hair from his face, staring at Hyacinth.
"Hi, Hyacinth..."
Hyacinth rolls his eyes.
"Your dad is looking for you! Why aren't you at the meeting?! You were supposed to say a speech!"
"I'm sorry! I got bored!"
He sighs.
"Just go."
"Okay. Bye, Ali."
"Bye, Axel. Good luck."
I grin and he hurries off.
I look up at Hyacinth with a bored look.
"I hate the harp."
"I know you do...come with me. I have something better for us to do."
"Okay!"
I jump up, abandoning the harp before following him away from the courtyard.
"Ooh! Where are we going?!"
"It's a surprise, young one."
"I'm 15. Not that young."
He laughs and I make a face.
"What? It's true."
"Fine...I can't keep secrets. We're going to see Selene."
"Selene?!"
My eyes shimmer.
"I've always wanted to meet her!"
Hyacinth smiles.
"I know you have. And since you're birthday's tomorrow I figured I could do something."
"Thank you!"
I walk next to him, beaming.
"This is so exciting! Is she nice?"
"Definitely."
Soon we approach the border to inside the Meridian Woodlands.
"Woah...does she live in here?"
"Yes. Her, the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, all the beings of darkness. Oh! Deceivers also live here."
"Deceivers?"
"Yes...shapeshifters that can change into anyone they want in order to trick you, lure you to them and then...eat you!"
My eyes widen.
"That's scary."
"I know...but don't worry! I'll keep you safe. You're my favorite out of all of them besides Axel. Don't tell anyone that."
I giggle and he smiles, placing his hand against what seems like the air.
It ripples underneath his fingers, opening up.
We both slide inside and it closes behind us, trapping us in the shadows.
I shiver, rubbing my arms.
"It's cold in here...and creepy. Where does she live?"
"In the middle. We'll be fine. Just don't touch anything or interact with anyone. Come now."
We go through the trees, and I recoil at every single twig that snaps underneath my foot.
This is scarier than it should be.
I have Hyacinth.
He's cool...he's strong...he's powerful. I'm powerful.
I can beat up a damn shapeshifter. If it comes to it.
The further we go the more uneasy I get, and I keep seeing humanoid shadow figures in my peripheral vision.
I snap out of my thoughts, realizing that he's gone.
"Hyacinth?"
I look around, frowning.
Where'd he go?
My eyes trail around the thick forest, snapping on a tall figure in the distance.
Must be him.
I scramble over to the figure, grabbing their arm.
"Hyacinth? Is that you?"
The person turns around, and I release a breath.
"Thank goodness I found you...I thought I got lost in here by myself.
The person's face is covered by the shadows, and my eyebrows furrow as I hear a voice. A familiar voice.
"Althea? Althea, where'd you go?"
I slowly turn around in dread to see Hyacinth coming down the trail, and my eyes widen.
"Hyacinth?"
"Thea!"
He starts to come closer when he sees the person I thought he was behind me, holding out his hand.
"Don't move a muscle, Ali."
"Wha—"
My eyes move down to see a clawed hand gripping tightly onto my forearm, their claws digging deep into my skin as blood drips down.
What the—?
I look up, and bite my tongue in order to not scream.
A...a human...no...a monster...with sharp, bloody teeth and bright red eyes.
Oh no.
"Help."
I say quietly, and Hyacinth draws a silver sword out of nowhere, inching close enough so that he can throw it, watching as it slices the things head clean off its neck, and I clamp my eyes shut as I hear a wet thump.
Hyacinth runs over to me, prying its dead hand from my arm before pulling me into his arms.
"I'm so sorry, Ali. I thought you were behind me."
"I...umm...it's my fault. I went up to it without a second thought.
I look down at my arm, hovering my hand over it.
My palm grows green, bonding the skin back together easily.
"We should go."
Hyacinth takes my hand just as I let out a high pitched scream.
He looks up, squinting when a large animal like creature falls from a tree beach, landing on him with a thump.
I jump back, shaking in horror as the thing starts to rip off his flesh.
Oh no. Do something!
I try to do something, only to be frozen in fear, watching in pure terror as Hyacinth is eaten alive by the demon monster.
I start sobbing, pulling myself to run.
Sadness weighs down on me as I realize I could've done something...could've tried to save him.
I stay huddled underneath a tree, sobbing my eyes out when I hear light footsteps.
I look up to see a light gray wolf with pearly eyes, that holds a silver necklace with a sapphire in the middle between its jaw gently.
It drops it in front of me, and I take it off the floor.
It has a name carved in it.
Hyacinth.
I clutch it before looking back at the wolf, that now lays down next to me.
I decide to talk to it despite my better judgement.
"How did you find this?! Is he dead?"
It just looks at me, and its eyes glow.
"What the...?"
It morphs into a human, a beautiful girl who then sits next to me.
She has long, platinum hair, and purplish silver eyes.
"I found it around his neck. He told me to tell you something."
I stare at her in pure disbelief.
"How do I know you aren't one of them?!"
"Because it's obvious I'm not a deceiver, child. I'm a wolf. And a woman. A werewolf."
I stare at her sadly.
"What did he say?! Is he dead?!"
She grimaces.
"Yeah...it was brutal. Sorry for your loss, honey. But he told me to give this to you, that he was sorry, and happy early 16th birthday."
Tears start to well up in my eyes again.
Hers widen and she reaches out, wiping them with her thumb.
"Don't cry. My name's Myra. I'll help you get back home."
I frown.
"Why are you being so nice?"
"It'd be a disgrace to leave you out here. I can't let you die."
"Why not?"
"The Revelation. In four years. You'll be there. And I can't mess up fate."
"What in the world is the Revelation?!"
"The apocalypse of the gods. The Titans. Only one will find the key to the chest. The chest holds a dark secret. One will not survive."
My eye twitches and I stare at her.
"You're scaring me."
"Sorry. Give me your hand."
I hesitantly give her my hand, and we teleport onto the balcony of Athena's temple.
"Go back now."
"But—"
"Everything will be okay. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"I...okay."
"Manage your time wisely...the chosen one might try and take your place."
I open my mouth to say something and she shakes her head.
"Do not question reality, child. Turn to the stars if you seek answers. The lies are hidden underneath them on earth."
Myra disappears into thin air, and I turn back to the stars.
What are your answers for me?
Who is the voice in my head?
*******
BACK TO PRESENT...
OCTOBER 13th, 2021.
(DAPHNE'S POV)
My eyes widen in pure fear as the body in the far left corner starts to twitch, before stretching upwards to its real height.
A cold sweat goes down my spine as I feel a hand grip onto my arm.
I look down to see the same figure from the corner next to me, with a smile that seems to grow larger and larger.
"Hello, Daphne."
I stare in horror at them, and after a while their smile drops and a malicious look forms in their eyes.
"Keep staring at me like that and I'll pluck out your eye, child."
I immediately look away, and I hear the bed creak as they crawl next to me.
"Is it weird that I like the sound of screaming? The sound of a shovel digging into the earth makes me shiver with anticipation."
I turn around and the person's gone, now there's two people in front of me. With everyone else tied up behind them.
"You see how easy it is to distract you? It gives us time to...to get everything prepped."
"Who are you?! Who the hell are you people?! And what the hell is going on?!"
"Hmm...I'm Aberdeen."
"Isolde."
I begin to move and one holds out her hand.
"Stay where you are unless you want me to rip out your friends ribs, dear."
My eyes widen in fear.
"You're sick. You guys are sick."
"Sick. That's what Cordelia said before I ripped her lungs from her body with my teeth. My fantasies are much darker than you think, my dear. Just watching you right now is throwing thoughts in my mind. Ones my inner demon are creating."
I can sense the grin on her face even though I can't see her.
"Parasitic. I'm jealous...you have the ability to close your eyes and forget about everything, while I have to sit here like a damn marionette doll. I want to be friends with your insides...or at least taste you...but that would be an invasion of privacy. I only do it if I'm allowed. Would you allow me, my dear?"
I shake my head rapidly.
"No. Let them go."
"No can do. But I'll give you a choice, dearie."
I hear her unnerving giggle ricochet through the room again.
"Come with me willingly, and I won't hurt you, or don't come with me, and I will turn you and your friends into my own little porcelain dolls. What do you say, sweetheart? I won't hesitate to do what I've been doing since 1745. Killing and torturing. Brings me joy..."
I look at the rest of them behind her, then back at her.
"Yes. Okay. I'll go with you."
"Good choice, dear..."
She holds out her hand, cocking her head to the side.
"The darkness is what's really on your side, Daphne. The light pays for the lies they tell."
********
(HAZEL'S POV)
FIVE HOURS EARLIER...
All three guards point their guns at us, and I raise my hands in the air.
"We aren't here to harm you! I promise!"
"What're you doing here?! The place is restricted, and I've never seen you a day in my life!"
I look at Pandora then back at the guard.
"We aren't from here! We're just trying to find my sister! She disappeared!"
"I don't believe that for a second. Hands behind your head! On your knees!"
Me and Pandora both drop down, and Pandora hisses at me between clenched teeth.
"What the hell is this, Hazel?!"
"I don't know! If anything—ow!"
"Shut up!"
I look down at the small dart that pierced my leg, before back at them with an icy glare.
"I don't know what you're doing but we mean no harm! I'm telling you!"
The guard points the gun directly at my head, and my eyes move upwards to look at it.
"Oh no."
I scrunch my eyes shut when I hear the cock of the gun.
"You three! Drop the guns!"
My eyes open as all three guards back away, nodding at the person.
"Sorry, ma'am!"
A girl with mint green hair glares at them.
"What did I tell you about shooting people?! Not allowed! Now throw them in the chambers!"
"Excuse me? Chambers?"
Everyone's eyes snap on me and I make a face.
"Sorry, toddlers, but i did nothing wrong to deserve this dart in my leg and a gun to my head. This is assault and harassment. If you don't let me and my friend go in 0.5 seconds I'm going to throw a fit. My sister's missing and you're not making it any easier to find her."
The woman turns around completely, narrowing her eyes.
"Hazel Russo."
"Me? Who the hell are you?"
"Adrienne Wilder. Supernatural assassin and head security of this place. You seem to be trespassing, which in my case is a crime. You are going to the chambers, child."
"Once again, I will ask, what. The fuck. Is. A. Chamber?! What is that?!"
"A glass tube filled with water that we put some people in as punishment. You and your wildlife friend are going in."
"Wildlife friend?! Bitch, I'm from a box!"
Adrienne glares daggers at us then the three men.
"What're you waiting for?! Get them in there! I have to tell him."
"Who?"
"None of your business, Russo."
The woman disappears into thin air and I look back at the guards in horror as they knock us out, dragging us into a portal.
*******
(ADRIENNE'S POV)
I teleport back to where I know where he'll be, back in the Twilight Zone.
"Hello?! You here?"
"Oh...is it my little mint?"
"Adrienne to you."
The door opens, and he grins at me.
"Don't be shy, Adrianna. Come in,"
"My name is Adrienne, not Adrianna, you fool."
"Does it look like I give a shit what your name actually is, angel? As long as you know how to fuck I'm good."
My mouth drops open in disgust.
"You're a pig. So is your brother. You're both disgusting and it shows. No respect for anyone with a big ass or big boobs."
He wags his finger at me.
"Oh no, dear. You forgot the most important thing...the fact that they have to be able to be good in bed."
"Exactly. No respect. I feel like you know no virgins. Or at least anyone you know you've screwed once or twice."
"That doesn't go for you, does it, Adrienne? We haven't banged yet. But yes, actually. I have a virgin friend. The little goth chick. She's a real bitch but has a nice body."
"The one you bit, vampy?"
"Yes, her. I'm sure it won't be too long until she gives into my charm...I mean...I'm pretty damn hard to resist."
"Yeah right. But I did send them to the chambers. Pandora and Hazel."
"Good girl. That means you have free time?"
I give him a look from the corner of my eye.
"That means I have free time, mister. But not that much. I still have work unlike you."
"Hmm...nobody cares."
He sits me down on top of a desk, resting his hand on either side of the table with a grin.
"Since you have a bit of extra time on your hands, dearie...I believe you can pleasure me for the time being."
I look down at him with a sly smirk.
"Whatever you say, Alaric. But I plan to stay on your non-screwed list."
*********
(ALEC'S POV)
"Alaric?!"
I groan inwardly.
This guy just has to get involved with any evil plan he can find. Dumb bastard.
"Yes, Alaric! Are your wounds okay, honeybun?"
She cocks her head to the side, and I narrow my eyes.
"You're crazy, Davina. Since when we're you released from Rylan?"
"Since he allowed me to come and get my feed of god blood. Can I have some of yours? I think it'd be fun to be able to take your form..."
"No."
I move my eyes to Aiden.
Her dead body.
Her spirit.
She killed her.
"Bring her back."
"We all know I can't bring people back to life...Alec."
I appear in front of her, squeezing her throat.
"Don't lie to me, bitch. Bring her back before I lose my shit on you."
She grins as her face pales, coughing once before resting her slender fingers over mine.
"I would love to see you lose your shit. Angry Alec sounds like Arousing Alec, does it not? What a turn on...the masochistic side of me is quaking."
She trails her dead looking fingers up my arm, dragging them down my face.
"You're just so fucking hot...and when your hands are around my neck it makes me feel some sort of way, Mr. Walker. Imagine what else they could do...and imagine how fucking delicious you taste."
An overwhelming feeling of disgust hits me and I throw her off of me, watching as she stumbles backwards, hitting her face on the side of the bathtub.
"Ooh..."
She lets out a small moan, giggling after.
"You didn't have to be so...rough on me...I'm just a delicate girl."
Davina stands up, wiping blood that drops from her nose with a grin.
"Look, Davina. I don't know what you're doing, but if you don't stop I won't hesitate to hurt you worse."
"That wasn't even the most of what you could do...hit me harder."
"What?"
"Harder...make me bleed...taste the red liquid...live your dark fantasies."
I glare at her, before going over to Aiden's transparent blue spirit.
"Get away from her!"
I look over to see Davina with her axe, and a deranged look in her black eyes.
"I'll bring her back to life...I promise I will...but you have to come with me."
"What kind of deal is that?!"
"A good one. Trust me. You're wasting time, honeybun. The more you sit and argue the more life is drained from her. So...I'll say it again. You come with me, I bring her back to life."
I look at Aiden's spirit before Davina.
"Fine. But you're bringing her back to life first.
"Of course! I keep my end of deals, but you, my little deceiver, I believe you will try and scam me."
She drops down, pulling a large vial of blood.
"This is all hers...pretty right? I was going to drink it but we'll bring her back instead. Your brother is lucky he got to taste it on his tongue..."
"Speaking of my brother...Davina, what the hell is going on between you two?"
"Me, Sidero, Seth, and Alaric are friends! Or crime partners I should say! He's in too many schemes. But, we all happen to like blood a lot, and also love to see people in pain. We need her blood in order to do a sacrifice."
I shake my head in disbelief.
"Just bring her back."
"Okay, lover boy. I got it."
She takes Aiden's head, dumping the blood back down her transparent throat.
She throws the vial back into her bag, watching as color slowly starts to come back into her face until she's the same pale shade she usually is.
"Aiden?"
She lets out a small noise, and her eyes open.
"What the hell?! Alec?! Purple haired girl?!"
She rolls her eyes.
"Davina."
"What's going on?!"
I look at her.
"Davina—"
"Shut up!"
Davina grabs my arm, dragging me backwards.
"Your little boyfriend is mine, bitch! See ya!"
We both disappear into thin air, and Aiden sits up, staring worriedly at the pentagram painted in blood on the ground.
"The Infernal Curse."
*******
(CARDEN'S POV)
I blink rapidly, my eyes moving from his fangs, to his eyes.
"You're scaring me! With those fangs and all...they look...sharp. But don't worry! I'll be quiet!"
Rylan smirks.
"Of course you will, diamond. Now come on."
He stands up, lifting me up as well.
I look at him blankly.
"I take it back. You aren't innocent and sweet. You're scary as fuck. But what now?"
"We go to the sirens."
"The sirens?"
"Yes..."
Rylan grins.
"They have the key."
********
(ALARIC'S POV)
A knock is heard at the door and Adrienne pulls away, wiping her lipstick off my cheek with her thumb.
"Fuck. Who the hell is here?!"
I give her a look.
"Like I know!"
Adrienne grabs her jacket, pulling it over her shoulders before looking back at me.
"I'll be back later when your company is gone, Walker."
"Yeah, yeah, Wilder."
She disappears into thin air, and I open the door.
I look down, my eyes expanding.
"Aiden?!"
********
(STELLA'S POV)
My eyes jolt open, and I see five men dressed in all black.
"What the?! Who are you?!"
I look down at my hands which are concealed in metal contraptions.
I look up at them again.
"What's going on?! Let me go!"
"You know witches have been banned from the underworld for over a century now? Did you really think you'd get away with it, girlie?"
"Get away with what?! I did nothing?! My—my mom is Selene, I'm a descendant of the moon, a moon nymph, not a witch!"
"Moon nymph. That's just about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, Stella."
"It's true! And you better let me go before we have a problem, dude. What did you do to her?! To Ryder?!"
"That red headed bloodsucker?! Drained her powers."
"No...that can't be true...there was a literal black hole swallowing her whole! Black magic! Black magic is banned in the underworld!"
He snickers.
"Hmph. You are smarter than I thought, child. But, tell me...have you seen this woman?"
I look at the picture in his gloved hand, a girl with pale skin, navy blue eyes, and black hair with silver strands.
"No...well, yes...her names Aiden."
"Good. We need you to find her. And bring her back to us. Dead."
*********
(AIDEN'S POV)
I look up at Alaric, before looking behind me.
I push him inside, going in as well before slamming the door shut and locking it.
"Where did you go, Alaric?!"
"Uhh...here?! How did you find me?"
"I don't know...something's wrong. Davina took Alec. Pandora and Hazel are missing."
"Oh, I know."
"What?!"
"I know where they are."
I look at him eagerly.
"Please bring me to them! Please!"
Alaric gives me a look.
"You see...I don't think I can do that."
"And why is that...?"
"Because I have a deal with someone, sweetheart, and that'd be breaking it. I don't break deals. Unless you do something for me."
I give a pleading look.
"Please, Alaric. Please!"
He looks at me for a second and I stare at him.
"Ugh. Fine. Just know...I might've killed one of your friends."
********
"What?! What do you mean?! What're you doing?! Stop it!"
I get dragged backwards, kicking and screaming.
"Shut up you little brat!"
I rip one of my arms free, spinning around to face him.
"Who did you kill, you son of a bitch! You lied to me...you lied to Alec...you lied to everyone! I put trust in you, Alaric, I really did!"
"If you don't shut your trap I'm going to lose my shit on you, woman. I suggest you take my advice before something bad happens, darling. I won't hesitate when my true form is out."
He then grabs my wrist tightly again, pulling me harshly towards an ominous black door.
He kicks it down, throwing me inside.
I let out a screech, my eyes scanning the wall.
"Hazel!? Pandora?!"
I see the both of them in glass tubes on the wall, Hazel banging against the glass.
It's filled to the brim with water, and Pandora is floating stilly in it, her eyes shut and her eyebrows furrowed.
"What did you do?!"
"It's not what I did...it's what they did. And if you don't be fucking careful that'll be you."
"Get them out!"
"No."
"What?! Alaric, listen to me when I tell you to get them the fuck out of there! Pandora looks dead! Out! Get them out!"
Alaric glares at me.
"No, Aiden."
I stand up off the floor, stumbling closer to them.
I bang on the glass as well and Alaric pulls me back when a bolt of electricity goes through it.
I let out a gasp, feeling his strong hands supporting me my waist.
"You done now?"
"No! Obviously not! Get. Them. Out!"
"Fine!"
"Really?"
"No!"
I let out a grumble in response, and he rolls his eyes.
"I already gave you a free pass taking you here to them in the first place. I wasn't supposed to."
I purse my lips.
"Of course you weren't."
Alaric grins.
"But...I have a deal for you, my child."
"What, my good sir?"
He gives me a disgusted look.
"Don't do that again. But, I will get them out for you."
"Then do it!"
"On one catch, sweetheart."
My shoulders slump.
"Is it to kill someone for you? You know I would never be able to do that."
"No, hon. Now that you belong to me...I believe you owe me something."
"Huh?"
"A night with me...with a striptease included."
My mouth drops open in disgust and I scoff.
"As if! I'm not going to hoe around with you and your brother! I'm not a slut! And that's disgusting!"
"Who said you were...hoeing...around with me and Alec? Only me tonight."
I smack my forehead.
"That's even worse! You're scary!"
"Thanks a lot..." he grins. "Deal?"
"I...umm..." I look at my helpless sister then a dying Pandora, before nodding. "Yeah. Yes. Sure. What exactly does this...night with you include?"
"Well...a striptease from the one and only me, make out sessions, and I can assure you some hip movement can be expected as an extra."
My cheeks flush red.
"I...hip movement?"
"Hip movement."
Hazel looks at us both like we're crazy, banging on the glass.
I look at her concerned, grabbing Alaric's arm before he moves.
"Let them go first."
He gives me a look from the corner of his eye.
"That sounds like a scam. You give me my gift first."
"You ain't getting none of this until you let them go!"
"Fine!"
Alaric makes a motion with his hand and Hazel and Pandora go flying from the glass tubes, landing on the floor with a thump.
The water pours out everywhere as well, and Pandora still lays there just as still.
Hazel starts coughing out water, glaring up at Alaric.
"You son of a bitch."
Alaric cocks his head to the side. Before grinning like a piranha.
"I change my mind, Aidy. She's coming with me."
I follow his eyes to Hazel and my eye twitches.
"What?" We both say at the same time, and Alaric grins.
"I've had my fun with the younger sister...it's only fair I give the same action to the older one."
*******
We both give him a repulsed look and he smiles.
"Don't be jealous, Aiden. You're still on for that striptease...I just think your sister needs to...you know...let loose."
He takes Hazel's arm, giving her a weird look.
"Ugh. You're soggy."
He uses his powers and she becomes dry.
"Better...time for some fun, hazelnut."
"Oh no..."
They both disappear and I run over to Pandora, shaking her slightly.
"Dora?! Pandi?! Pandora?!"
"Huh? What? Where? Why?"
She sits up, immediately choking out water.
"What the...where are we?"
"What do you—oh crap."
I look around us, and realize we're no longer in the room, but in the middle of some sort of camp with ten hungry wolves looking right at us.
*********